You are here:

Guides through decision to have knee surgery for an ACL injury. Compares surgery to rest, exercise, and rehabilitation as treatment for an ACL injury. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.

ACL Injury: Should I Have Knee Surgery?

You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.

Your options

Have ACL surgery followed by a physical
rehabilitation (rehab) program.

Try rest, exercise, and physical
rehab.

This topic is not meant for children or teens.
Their bones have not stopped growing, so there are other things to think about.
This topic is also not for people who have had ACL surgery or are
having revision surgery.

Key points to remember

Surgery may be done for most healthy adults of any age who
want to keep up activities that require a strong, stable knee.

Surgery with physical rehabilitation (rehab) is your best chance to have a
stable knee and an active lifestyle without more pain, injury, or loss of
strength and movement in your knee. But this also depends on how badly your ACL
was damaged. You might think about surgery if:

Your ACL is completely torn or partially
torn and unstable.

You are very active in sports or have a job that
requires knee strength and stability (such as construction
work).

You have long-lasting (chronic)
ACL deficiency that affects your quality of life.

If you're willing to do several months of rehab first, you
might want to try it before having surgery.

If you wait too long to fix a torn ACL and you start to get
chronic ACL deficiency, the surgeon may not be able to fix all of your joint
damage. You may still have pain and swelling. It's important to have surgery
before your unstable knee causes other joint problems.

If you are thinking about surgery for
ACL injuries, you may
want to talk to more than one
orthopedic surgeon about your knee injury. You may get
different ideas from other doctors about how surgery could be done. Choose the
surgeon with whom you feel the most comfortable and who has a good reputation
in your community.

If nothing is done, the ACL injury may turn into chronic
ACL deficiency. Your knee may become more and more unstable and may give out
more often. The abnormal sliding within the knee also can hurt
cartilage. It can trap and damage the
menisci in the knee and can also lead to early
osteoarthritis.

If you can live with a loose knee and avoid
doing things that make your knee unstable, you may not get
osteoarthritis.

If you keep doing things that make your knee give
way and become painful and swollen, you risk future joint problems and
disability.

If you wait too long to fix a torn ACL and you start to
get chronic ACL deficiency, the surgeon may not be able to fix all of your
joint damage. You may still have pain and swelling even after surgery. It's
important to have surgery before your unstable knee leads to other joint
problems.

Personal stories about having surgery for an ACL injury

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

My knee is
only a little unstable after my ACL injury. My doctor said the decision to have
surgery is really up to me. I am going to do some intensive rehab for a few
weeks and see how my knee progresses. If I can avoid surgery, I'd like to do
that.

Don, age
42

I'm not a competitive athlete, but I am
very active and I enjoy running, hiking, and bicycling. My doctor said that my
ACL tear wasn't too bad, but I am definitely going to have surgery. I think
surgery is my best chance of being able to continue to do all the things I did
before I hurt my knee.

Susan, age 38

I'm not a
very active person, and so it isn't too important to me that my knee be stable.
It only has a small amount of instability right now, so I am not going to have
surgery. I feel like the risks of the surgery are more than the risks of not
having it, at least for someone like me.

Carmen, age 53

I need a
stable knee to do my job well, and I'd also like to avoid getting
osteoarthritis early if I can. I'm going to have the reconstruction surgery,
even though I know the rehab is long. It's the best chance I have of getting a
strong, stable knee.

Peter, age 45

What matters most to you?

Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.

Reasons to choose ACL surgery

Reasons to choose rest, exercise, and physical rehabilitation

I need a healthy knee for work.

My work does not depend on my having a healthy knee.

More important

Equally important

More important

I'm active and involved in sports, so I need a healthy knee.

I'm not that active or involved in sports.

More important

Equally important

More important

I accept the risks of surgery.

I don't want to have surgery for any reason.

More important

Equally important

More important

I can commit to a long rehabilitation program after surgery.

I don't know if I can commit to a long rehab program after surgery.

More important

Equally important

More important

My other important reasons:

My other important reasons:

More important

Equally important

More important

Where are you leaning now?

Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.

ACL surgery

Rest, exercise, and physical rehab

Leaning toward

Undecided

Leaning toward

What else do you need to make your decision?

Check the facts

1.

Do rest, exercise, and rehabilitation offer you the best chance for a stable knee?

YesSorry, that's not right. Surgery with physical rehabilitation offers the best chance to have a stable knee and an active lifestyle.

NoYou are right. Surgery with physical rehabilitation offers the best chance to have a stable knee and an active lifestyle.

I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "Get the Facts." Surgery with physical rehabilitation offers the best chance to have a stable knee and an active lifestyle.

2.

If you're not sure about surgery, is it okay to try physical rehab first?

YesYou are right. If you're willing to do several months of rehab first, you might want to try it before surgery.

NoSorry, that's not right. If you're willing to do several months of rehab first, you might want to try it before surgery.

I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "Get the Facts." If you're willing to do several months of rehab first, you might want to try it before surgery.

3.

Can you cause other problems by waiting too long to have surgery?

YesYou are right. If you wait too long to fix a torn ACL and you start to get chronic ACL deficiency, the surgeon may not be able to fix all of your joint damage.

NoSorry, that's not right. If you wait too long to fix a torn ACL and you start to get chronic ACL deficiency, the surgeon may not be able to fix all of your joint damage.

I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "Get the Facts." If you wait too long to fix a torn ACL and you start to get chronic ACL deficiency, the surgeon may not be able to fix all of your joint damage.

You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.

ACL Injury: Should I Have Knee Surgery?

Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.

Get the facts

Compare your options

What matters most to you?

Where are you leaning now?

What else do you need to make your decision?

1. Get the Facts

Your options

Have ACL surgery followed by a physical
rehabilitation (rehab) program.

Try rest, exercise, and physical
rehab.

This topic is not meant for children or teens.
Their bones have not stopped growing, so there are other things to think about.
This topic is also not for people who have had ACL surgery or are
having revision surgery.

Key points to remember

Surgery may be done for most healthy adults of any age who
want to keep up activities that require a strong, stable knee.

Surgery with physical rehabilitation (rehab) is your best chance to have a
stable knee and an active lifestyle without more pain, injury, or loss of
strength and movement in your knee. But this also depends on how badly your ACL
was damaged. You might think about surgery if:

Your ACL is completely torn or partially
torn and unstable.

You are very active in sports or have a job that
requires knee strength and stability (such as construction
work).

You have long-lasting (chronic)
ACL deficiency that affects your quality of life.

If you're willing to do several months of rehab first, you
might want to try it before having surgery.

If you wait too long to fix a torn ACL and you start to get
chronic ACL deficiency, the surgeon may not be able to fix all of your joint
damage. You may still have pain and swelling. It's important to have surgery
before your unstable knee causes other joint problems.

If you are thinking about surgery for
ACL injuries, you may
want to talk to more than one
orthopedic surgeon about your knee injury. You may get
different ideas from other doctors about how surgery could be done. Choose the
surgeon with whom you feel the most comfortable and who has a good reputation
in your community.

FAQs

What are the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and an ACL injury?

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of four knee
ligaments that connect the upper leg bone (femur) with the large lower leg bone
(tibia). The ACL keeps your knee stable by:

Keeping your knee from sliding or twisting abnormally when the leg is straight or slightly bent.

Preventing your knee
from being stretched or straightened beyond its normal limits.

A
separation of the ligament from the upper or lower leg bone
(avulsion).

A separation of the ligament and part of the bone from
the rest of the bone (avulsion fracture).

When any of these things happen, the lower leg bone may
slide forward on the upper bone. This may feel like your knee is giving out. An
ACL tear may also hurt other bones or joints inside the knee.

What are the risks of an ACL injury?

The risks of
an ACL injury depend on:

How bad the injury was.

Whether
other parts of your knee also were injured.

Whether you stop or
limit activities that require a stable knee.

Whether you complete
a rehab program.

If nothing is done, the ACL injury may turn into chronic
ACL deficiency. Your knee may become more and more unstable and may give out
more often. The abnormal sliding within the knee also can hurt
cartilage. It can trap and damage the
menisci in the knee and can also lead to early
osteoarthritis.

If you can live with a loose knee and avoid
doing things that make your knee unstable, you may not get
osteoarthritis.

If you keep doing things that make your knee give
way and become painful and swollen, you risk future joint problems and
disability.

If you wait too long to fix a torn ACL and you start to
get chronic ACL deficiency, the surgeon may not be able to fix all of your
joint damage. You may still have pain and swelling even after surgery. It's
important to have surgery before your unstable knee leads to other joint
problems.

How successful is ACL surgery?

After an ACL injury and surgery, most people regain enough strength and range of motion to return to their usual activities.1 A few people will still have knee pain and instability.

What are the risks of surgery and rehabilitation?

ACL surgery has few risks. Risks and
problems that can occur during rehab and recovery include:

2. Compare your options

Depending on the type
of
ACL surgery you have, you may go home the same day or
spend a few days in the hospital.

You will do
physical rehabilitation for several months to a year.
Your rehab will continue until your knee is stable and strong.

It takes most people at least 6 months to return to activity after surgery.2

You rest and reduce
activity. Your doctor may suggest that you use crutches or a
splint.

You use ice for swelling. You wrap your knee with an
elastic bandage and keep it propped up on a pillow when you sit or lie down.

You take
anti-inflammatory medicines for pain.

You
do physical rehabilitation until your knee is stable.

What are the benefits?

Surgery with rehabilitation offers
the best chance for making your knee stable again.

Most people will regain enough strength and range of motion to return to their usual activities.

Rest and rehab may be
enough to heal your injury or at least make it stable enough so that you can do
some activities.

If you decide to have surgery later, you will be in better
condition for it because of your rehab program.

You avoid the risks
of surgery.

What are the risks and side effects?

A few people will still have knee pain and
instability.

All surgery has risks,
including bleeding, infection, and nerve damage. Your age and your health also
affect your risk.

Other risks of surgery or problems that occur
after surgery include:

Loss of motion to the knee joint.

Grating (grinding) of the kneecap.

Pain and
swelling during daily activities or sports.

You won't be
able to keep doing activities that caused your injury.

You may not regain full use of your knee.

If you wait
too long to fix a torn ACL and you start to get chronic
ACL deficiency, the surgeon may not be able to fix all of your joint damage.

Personal stories

Are you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These
personal stories
may help you decide.

Personal stories about having surgery for an ACL injury

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

"My knee is only a little unstable after my ACL injury. My doctor said the decision to have surgery is really up to me. I am going to do some intensive rehab for a few weeks and see how my knee progresses. If I can avoid surgery, I'd like to do that."

— Don, age
42

"I'm not a competitive athlete, but I am very active and I enjoy running, hiking, and bicycling. My doctor said that my ACL tear wasn't too bad, but I am definitely going to have surgery. I think surgery is my best chance of being able to continue to do all the things I did before I hurt my knee."

— Susan, age 38

"I'm not a very active person, and so it isn't too important to me that my knee be stable. It only has a small amount of instability right now, so I am not going to have surgery. I feel like the risks of the surgery are more than the risks of not having it, at least for someone like me."

— Carmen, age 53

"I need a stable knee to do my job well, and I'd also like to avoid getting osteoarthritis early if I can. I'm going to have the reconstruction surgery, even though I know the rehab is long. It's the best chance I have of getting a strong, stable knee."

— Peter, age 45

3. What matters most to you?

Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.

Reasons to choose ACL surgery

Reasons to choose rest, exercise, and physical rehabilitation

I need a healthy knee for work.

My work does not depend on my having a healthy knee.

More important

Equally important

More important

I'm active and involved in sports, so I need a healthy knee.

I'm not that active or involved in sports.

More important

Equally important

More important

I accept the risks of surgery.

I don't want to have surgery for any reason.

More important

Equally important

More important

I can commit to a long rehabilitation program after surgery.

I don't know if I can commit to a long rehab program after surgery.

More important

Equally important

More important

My other important reasons:

My other important reasons:

More important

Equally important

More important

4. Where are you leaning now?

Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.

ACL surgery

Rest, exercise, and physical rehab

Leaning toward

Undecided

Leaning toward

5. What else do you need to make your decision?

Check the facts

1.
Do rest, exercise, and rehabilitation offer you the best chance for a stable knee?

Yes

No

I'm not sure

You are right. Surgery with physical rehabilitation offers the best chance to have a stable knee and an active lifestyle.

2.
If you're not sure about surgery, is it okay to try physical rehab first?

Yes

No

I'm not sure

You are right. If you're willing to do several months of rehab first, you might want to try it before surgery.

3.
Can you cause other problems by waiting too long to have surgery?

Yes

No

I'm not sure

You are right. If you wait too long to fix a torn ACL and you start to get chronic ACL deficiency, the surgeon may not be able to fix all of your joint damage.

Decide what's next

1.
Do you understand the options available to you?

Yes

No

2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?

Yes

No

3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?

Yes

No

Certainty

1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision?

Not sure at all

Somewhat sure

Very sure

2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision.

I'm ready to take action.

I want to discuss the options with others.

I want to learn more about my options.

3.
Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps.

Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use.
How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.